If you’re just starting your own property management business, it’s important to identify what you bring to the table. Is it your expert customer service? Affordable fees? Years of property management experience? Whether you’re planning on managing multi-family units, rental homes, or commercial properties, the skills and experience you can identify and later offer potential customers plays a large part in building and retaining your customer base.
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An Analysis and Review of AppFolio by Michael Levy, Author of “50 Interviews: Successful Property Managers”
Posted on 14. May, 2013.
Michael Levy, author of "50 Interviews: Successful Property Managers," recently updated his review of AppFolio. In the review, Mike analyzes the responses to a...
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Homeownership in the U.S. fell to a 17-year low in the first quarter while an increase of Americans opted to rent following the housing...
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California Bill to Ban Smoking in Condos and Apartments Statewide Defeated
Posted on 29. Apr, 2013.
A California bill seeking to ban smoking in condominiums and apartments statewide failed in an Assembly committee. Democratic Assemblyman Marc Levine of San Rafael...
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Keys To A Successful Website: A Checklist For Property Managers (eBook)
Posted on 13. May, 2013 by Bryan Ives.
One of the primary tools many property managers use to deliver information to current and future residents is their website. In this complimentary eBook, we share over 30 important criteria for your website that will help you create a professional, efficient and profitable marketing tool for your business.
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When Screening Applicants Remember The Fair Credit Reporting Act
Posted on 10. May, 2013 by Marc Courtenay.
Property Managers know how important it is to prevent problems with residents through careful screening procedures. The old saying, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” is as important in today’s society as ever. That’s why experienced property managers don’t cut corners when screening applicants.
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How To Cultivate New Clients In “The Garden Of Property Management”
Posted on 09. May, 2013 by Marc Courtenay.
Seldom has there been a better time to cultivate and “plant the seeds” for new clients for your property management business. The need for rental, single-family housing has never been greater, and the financial climate is most advantageous, so let’s get started!
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Five Steps To A Successful Property Management Blog (eBook)
Posted on 08. May, 2013 by Bryan Ives.
A recent study revealed that business blogging leads to 55% more visitors to your website. In this complimentary eBook, we worked with a blogging expert to provide you with five easy steps that lead to an effective blogging strategy for your property management business.
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The general rule in California is that each party bears its own attorney’s fees. There are exceptions to this general rule. One exception exists when a contract contains an attorney’s fee clause. If a contract provides that the prevailing party will recover its attorney’s fees and costs, generally that provision is enforceable, assuming that the matter is litigated to judgment.
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Despite the warnings that are prevalent around the country, potential renters, property owners and managers continue to be scammed by Craigslist. These scams have evolved as the criminals have become more devious. Today, both renters and property managers are the frequent victims of these scams.
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Property Management Benchmark Survey Partnership With Software Advice
Posted on 30. Apr, 2013 by Bryan Ives.
AppFolio has partnered with Austin-based Software Advice to sponsor a property management benchmark survey. The purpose of the survey is to identify common property management challenges and find out what additional things property management professionals are seeking in products.
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For the longest time, property developers have had a “the sky’s the limit” mentality when it comes to building new rental properties to keep up with America’s rapidly increasing population. That mindset is beginning to change now with the emergence of micro-apartments.
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Spring is finally here. If you’re in a cold climate, it’s likely you haven’t spent much time outside. But once the snow melts and the ground is visible again, you’ll likely spot some areas that have become weathered from the elements. With the last freeze likely over, now is the time to get outside and take a good long look at your properties.
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Rising Rents Are Hot But Facts Show They’re Cooling Down
Posted on 19. Apr, 2013 by Marc Courtenay.
Single family housing rents rose once again in the first quarter of 2013. Yet signs are beginning to reveal themselves that the seemingly endless months of rising rents may be coming to an end. The reasons are numerous but the biggest is a marked increase in the supply of rental units.
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For years now, restaurants and other service providers have used Yelp as their local review site. They’ve learned how to not just take the good reviews with the bad reviews, but also figure out how to manage those bad reviews so that people will still trust them and try them out.
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Housing Rebound Continues Unabated With New Home Sales Soaring
Posted on 05. Apr, 2013 by Marc Courtenay.
Believe it or not the housing industry is making a stellar comeback. After a collapse in residential construction during The Great Recession which began in 2008, new home construction is leading the housing recovery. The Commerce Department reported on March 19, 2013 that housing starts rose in February to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 917,000.
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Yes, I heard your collective sigh of frustration when you read that title. Yes, I know that every day seems to bring another form of Internet marketing that you just “have to” be using. But trust me when I say that this one is different. Who hasn’t heard of Google by now? Probably even people living under rocks have used Google to find out exactly what type of rock that is overhead.
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According to the State of the American Neighborhood survey by Nextdoor, a third of Americans don’t know their neighbors by name. Does knowing your neighbors create a safer home environment?
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Sometimes the owners of rental properties are too trusting for their own good. You, as the property manager, undoubtedly know what I’m referring to. But that’s why the owner hires you to begin with. They don’t want to have to deal directly with the resident-tenant, right? For this article I wanted to share a true story that demonstrates why it’s imperative to protect your clients from situations where the resident says something like, “We don’t need it in writing. I have great references and my word is as good as any document.”
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As property managers, we’re all aware of the multitude of issues that frequently arise with unreliable tenants. Late rental payments, disturbing the peace, illegal activity, and a general disregard for the property are all problems that typically arise in the property management industry.
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They’re the words that strike fear in most of us. “You’re being audited.” First, don’t panic. Many IRS audits are simple requests for information that you can provide by mail. Providing the information requested on a timely basis typically satisfies the IRS.
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The home-buying market is on fire, especially for newly built houses. New home sales surged almost 29% in January compared to January 2012. This is the highest annual sales rate in four years according to figures released by the Commerce Department on Tuesday, Feb. 26th. Existing home sales also rose in January 2013 by 9.1%. Ironically, even though new houses (new construction) cost buyers approximately 37% more for the same square footage as previously owned houses, it’s the new homes that are selling at the hottest pace.
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You’ve done your homework. The condition of every unit or home you rent is carefully documented, with pictures to support your findings. The tenant lease clearly states what your tenant is responsible for, and they have read and agreed to the responsibilities listed. Your tenant signed off on the list, and any subsequent problems found during the walk-through were addressed and noted on both copies of the move-in sheet.
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With all the media hype about the so-called looming fiscal cliff, it’s a good time of the year to remember how to avoid financial disasters and to do what we can to prevent losses. Property Managers with experience know how costly the process of eviction can be, as well as the expense of repairing damaged rental units that have been “trashed” by destructive former residents.
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On February 14th we co-hosted a webinar with Grace Hill, featuring Charity Zierten (Socially Engaged Marketing), a leading expert on social media for property management. In this webinar video recording, Charity shares her perspective on how to successfully use Pinterest for your property management business.
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Security Deposit processing continually challenges property managers across the country. In theory, this should be one of the easier things that property managers are required to do. The tenant provides management with a security deposit that will be held during the life of the tenancy.
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How to Reduce Carbon Footprint Tips for Property Managers
Posted on 14. Feb, 2013 by Mary Girsch-Bock.
While there are several long term investments you can make to reduce your carbon footprint such as installing low flow toilets in each apartment, or xeriscaping the lawn to reduce water consumption, there are several easy, inexpensive things you can do to conserve energy and leave the environment just a little bit cleaner and your carbon footprint a little bit lighter.
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According to the Geographical Mobility 2012 report by the United States Census Bureau, Americans are finally relocating after record low numbers in 2011. So what finally got them to pack up and move out?
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Technology Trends: What Residents Want (eBook)
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Always Get It In Writing And In The Lease
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Avoiding Craigslist Scams
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How To Cultivate New Clients In “The Garden Of Property Management”
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NARPM Florida State Chapter Property Manager Conference 2012
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Marc Courtenay: Thanks for your comment. Please consider sharing t...
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Ryan @ Green Bay Commercial Real Estate: At least in our market (Green Bay) it seems to be ...
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Tammy Davis: Great Advice!...
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Sandy: I have strong doubts that this was a professional ...
